problem with n14 cummings

If your tach is showing some rpm when cranking then your engine position sensor is good. 5 psi is too low of pressure to start. Like they said, check or replace the shut down solenoid. There is also a fuel check valve in the ECM cooling plate that may be failing and the engine is hard to start simply because it has to reprime itself all the time. This could also be the very beginning of a weak fuel fuel pump too.

 

When the pumps start to get weak they can have trouble sucking/pushing fuel initially. The pump gears will have enough wear that the fuel just slips past the teeth for a bit unit there is enough flow to overcome the fuel bypassing. Since there is some play in the gears, sometimes they seal and sometimes they don't. When the engine is running, the rpms are fast enough that the pump can develop fuel pressure that is in spec. You should be seeing about 25 psi minimum when cranking. It is normal for this take up to 3 seconds. In order to test you need it to do it consistently, which is a pain sometimes. If the pressure is low, try to run a test fuel line directly to pump inlet at the filter right at the pump. Get the engine running to bleed out the air in the test line. This will absolutely rule out the rest of the fuel system as the problem. If with the test line the pump has a hard time drawing up fuel, or generating 25 psi when cranking, I would say it is fuel pump time. There are internal regulators, and a return line check valve that could be sticking or worn, but if they are worn so is the rest of the pump and therefore just change the whole thing and be done with it.

 

My dad has n14 select and has been having same problem runs fine but every now and then won't start. Put brand new pump and still same thing when the symptom occurs if you just push in the center of the test port to relieve pressure it starts right up.